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PPIH vs PRIM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Engineering & Construction
PPIH vs PRIM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Construction | Engineering & Construction |
| Market Cap | $262M | $5.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $201M | $7.49B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $14M | $248M |
| Gross Margin | 33.5% | 10.4% |
| Operating Margin | 13.9% | 4.9% |
| Forward P/E | 19.5x | 20.2x |
| Total Debt | $33M | $1.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $16M | $541M |
PPIH vs PRIM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perma-Pipe Internat… (PPIH) | 100 | 619.8 | +519.8% |
| Primoris Services C… (PRIM) | 100 | 627.9 | +527.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PPIH vs PRIM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PPIH carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night and valuation efficiency.
- Lower volatility, beta 2.02, Low D/E 40.0%, current ratio 2.01x
- PEG 0.93 vs PRIM's 1.10
- Lower P/E (19.5x vs 20.2x), PEG 0.93 vs 1.10
PRIM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.83, yield 0.3%
- Rev growth 19.0%, EPS growth 51.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.7%
- 402.0% 10Y total return vs PPIH's 389.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.0% revenue growth vs PPIH's 5.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (19.5x vs 20.2x), PEG 0.93 vs 1.10 | |
| Quality / Margins | 6.9% margin vs PRIM's 3.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.83 vs PPIH's 2.02 | |
| Dividends | 0.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +156.3% vs PRIM's +62.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.4% ROA vs PRIM's 5.6%, ROIC 15.3% vs 13.6% |
PPIH vs PRIM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PPIH vs PRIM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PPIH leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRIM is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.5B annually — 37.3x PPIH's $201M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 6.9% (PPIH) to 3.3% (PRIM). On growth, PPIH holds the edge at +47.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $201M | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $32M | $437M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $14M | $248M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $12M | $165M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +33.5% | +10.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +4.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.9% | +3.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +6.1% | +2.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +47.1% | -5.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +148.4% | -60.5% |
Valuation Metrics
PRIM leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.5x trailing earnings, PRIM trades at a 27% valuation discount to PPIH's 29.3x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), PRIM offers better value at 1.17x vs PPIH's 1.39x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $262M | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $279M | $6.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 29.29x | 21.52x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.53x | 20.22x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.39x | 1.17x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.84x | 13.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.65x | 0.77x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.16x | 3.52x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.70x | 17.20x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PPIH leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PRIM delivers a 15.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $14 for PPIH. PPIH carries lower financial leverage with a 0.40x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PRIM's 0.76x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PPIH scores 7/9 vs PRIM's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.9% | +15.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.4% | +5.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +15.3% | +13.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +19.4% | +16.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.40x | 0.76x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $18M | $735M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $16M | $541M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $33M | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 13.83x | 21.02x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — PPIH and PRIM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PPIH five years ago would be worth $51,066 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $33,445 for PRIM. Over the past 12 months, PPIH leads with a +156.3% total return vs PRIM's +62.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PRIM at 64.7% vs PPIH's 45.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +7.3% | -17.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +156.3% | +62.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +208.7% | +346.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +410.7% | +234.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +389.7% | +402.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +45.6% | +64.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PPIH and PRIM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PRIM is the less volatile stock with a 1.83 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PPIH's 2.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PPIH currently trades 89.4% from its 52-week high vs PRIM's 52.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.85x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $36.72 | $205.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $12.50 | $65.23 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.4% | +52.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.8 | 30.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 84K | 1.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PPIH as "Buy" and PRIM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 52.4% upside for PRIM (target: $165) vs 9.7% for PPIH (target: $36). PRIM is the only dividend payer here at 0.29% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $36.00 | $164.63 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 23 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.32 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +0.2% |
PPIH leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PRIM leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
PPIH vs PRIM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PPIH or PRIM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the stronger pick with 19.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 1% for Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH). Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) offers the better valuation at 21. 5x trailing P/E (20. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PPIH or PRIM?
On trailing P/E, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the cheapest at 21.
5x versus Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. at 29. 3x. On forward P/E, Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 19. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 93x versus Primoris Services Corporation's 1. 10x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PPIH or PRIM?
Over the past 5 years, Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.
(PPIH) delivered a total return of +410. 7%, compared to +234. 4% for Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PPIH returned +404. 2% versus PRIM's +387. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PPIH or PRIM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
37β versus Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 85β — meaning PPIH is approximately 35% more volatile than PRIM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 40% versus 76% for Primoris Services Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PPIH or PRIM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is pulling ahead at 19.
0% versus 5. 1% for Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Primoris Services Corporation grew EPS 51. 7% year-over-year, compared to -13. 8% for Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PRIM leads at 19. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PPIH or PRIM?
Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.
(PPIH) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 7% net margin versus 3. 6% for Primoris Services Corporation — meaning it keeps 5. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PPIH leads at 12. 8% versus 5. 5% for PRIM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PPIH leads at 33. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PPIH or PRIM more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 93x versus Primoris Services Corporation's 1. 10x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH) trades at 19. 5x forward P/E versus 20. 2x for Primoris Services Corporation — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PRIM: 52. 4% to $164. 63.
08Which pays a better dividend — PPIH or PRIM?
In this comparison, PRIM (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. PPIH does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is PPIH or PRIM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+387.
5% 10Y return). Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH) carries a higher beta of 1. 85 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PRIM: +387. 5%, PPIH: +404. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PPIH and PRIM?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PPIH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PRIM is a small-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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